Cabinet wants to make voting easier for people with disabilities

Justice minister Judith Uitemark has drawn up plans to make voting more accessible for around two million people in the Netherlands with disabilities or other limitations.

The government trialled a peer support scheme at the last election in which people who experienced difficulties with voting were stationed at polling stations to recognise and help others. Around 200 municipalities made use of the scheme.

Research has shown that people with physical limitations or learning difficulties are put off voting because they find the process too difficult.

Uitermark said the cabinet would look at relaxing the strict rules designed to protect the secret ballot principle, which state that only people who physically need help to vote can be accompanied in the polling booth.

She said a new law could be introduced so that voters with learning difficulties, who may struggle to read or find their preferred candidate on the huge Dutch ballot papers, can receive support.

Turnout at Dutch elections is relatively high, with nearly 78% of eligible voters casting a ballot at the last general election in November 2023.

The minister also wants councils, who are responsible for the voting process, to consider other ways to make it easier.

Ideas include requiring every municipality to have at least one polling station with an interpreter and informing people when the busiest and quietest times are to vote, to help those who struggle in crowded or noisy spaces.

The government is also going ahead with plans to simplify the ballot papers by using a two-stage “menu” where voters choose a party first and then select a candidate from a numbered list. The scheme was trialled in five municipalities at last year’s European parliament elections.

The minister hopes the changes will take effect before the next local elections in March 26 or the next general election, whichever happens sooner.